Judiciary’s political record in the spotlight as Pakistan heads down rocky road to elections

Lawyers, some of them look on television screen, displaying the live broadcast of the proceeding from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, at the Sindh High Court Bar Association in Karachi, Pakistan September 18, 2023. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 16 January 2024
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Judiciary’s political record in the spotlight as Pakistan heads down rocky road to elections

  • Supreme Court has history of adjudicating election disputes, interpreting election laws, disqualifying politicians from office
  • Top court famously created “the doctrine of necessity” in 1954 to justify Pakistan’s first application of martial law

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan gears up for general elections next month, the superior judiciary’s role in political affairs has come under the spotlight, with both political leaders and legal experts criticizing top judges for taking a “partisan” approach in arbitrating political disputes both in the past and the present.

The Supreme Court is a key power holder in Pakistan, with a history of adjudicating election disputes, interpreting constitutional provisions related to elections, and disqualifying politicians, including prime ministers, from holding public office.

The judiciary’s imprints on politics and policymaking are wide, with top judges known to challenge, limit and collaborate with both elected and unelected centers of power and political and military leaders widely seen as co-opting and even controlling judges to align the judiciary’s interests with their own. In Pakistani politics, there is a “troika” of power between the prime minister, the army chief and the chief justice, with shifting alignments and conflicts between the three officeholders often determining the very contours of national politics.

“The worldwide phenomenon known as the judicialization of politics extends beyond political realms and notably, in Pakistan, this trend gained prominence, particularly since 2009,” legal expert Usama Khawar told Arab News.

“The judiciary’s role in pivotal decisions, such as determining eligibility for elections, has significantly increased. Many issues that would traditionally be political disputes resolved in the political arena, streets, or at the ballot box are now being adjudicated in courts.”




A man walks past the Pakistan's Supreme Court building in Islamabad, Pakistan, on January 12, 2024. (AFP)

Indeed, the Supreme Court’s political record is almost as old as Pakistan itself, born in 1947 after the end of British rule over united India.

The court famously created “the doctrine of necessity” in 1954 to justify Pakistan’s first application of martial law, after which it used the principle to legalize each one of the country’s three military coups in 1958, 1977 and 1999. The judiciary has also been seen as playing handmaiden to military rulers in other ways, most famously by hanging Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former prime minister, in 1979 in what is still considered one of the most controversial legal judgments in Pakistani history.

In June 2012, the Supreme Court convicted and disqualified Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani of the Pakistan People’s Party for contempt. In July 2017 the top court invoked corruption charges to remove three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office, and later also disqualified him from heading his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party ahead of July 2018 elections.

As Pakistan approaches polls on Feb. 8, the judiciary is once again in the eye of the political storm.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Election Commission’s (ECP) decision to strip the country’s most popular political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), of its election symbol, the cricket bat. The verdict has been widely criticized by supporters of jailed PTI founder and ex-PM Imran Khan as well as independent analysts, who say the top court is toeing the line of the powerful military establishment which is accused of trying to sideline Khan and his party from the polls. The army says it does not interfere in political affairs.

In the same breath, the Supreme Court recently also overturned a law that barred politicians with past convictions from seeking political office, a move that has paved the way for Sharif to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Khan’s main rival, Sharif has been cleared of most court cases as well as a lifetime ban to contest polls, and analysts say he appears to be the front runner for the February polls and has the military’s support — an advantage in a country where army generals have had an outsized role in the making and breaking of governments. The army says it is apolitical.

“The judiciary’s recent role is not fair,” PTI spokesperson Shoaib Shaheen told Arab News, commenting on the SC verdict on the party symbol as well as legal cases against Khan. “When the judiciary fails to meet expectations and remains partisan, anger arises, undermining the rule of law.”

A party’s electoral symbol on ballot papers is significant for voters to be able to identify its candidates in the South Asian nation of 241 million people, where a large number of constituencies are in rural areas with low literacy. Stripped of the bat, PTI candidates will need to contest on individual symbols, which could confuse its voters, the party fears, as it already faces an unprecedented crackdown on political activities.

“POLITICALLY MOTIVATED”

The PTI’s issues with the judiciary stem from dozens of cases filed against Khan since he was ousted from office in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022 that he says was orchestrated by the military and his political rivals at the behest of the United States. All three deny the charge. Khan was convicted last August in one case involving the sale of state gifts while he was PM, for which he is serving a three-year sentence. He also faces a slew of other charges ranging from attempted murder to treason and corruption and terrorism.

The party has faced a widening crackdown since May 9 last year, when Khan’s supporters damaged government and military properties in nationwide street protests that the former PM and top leaders of his party are accused of masterminding. Thousands of Khan’s followers were arrested after the protests and dozens of members of his party, including some of his closest and oldest aides, deserted him. Khan’s party, already at odds with powerful army generals by the end of his tenure as PM, has since May been grappling with what independent analysts have called a military-backed crackdown that has gathered pace ahead of the Feb. 8 vote. The army and the government say they are only prosecuting PTI leaders and supporters who were involved in the May 9 violence, particularly the destruction of army properties. 

The PTI alleges the military is attempting to keep it out of the election race, a charge the army denies, and candidates from his party complain of being denied a level playing field and the right to freely campaign. His party members have accused state authorities of intimidation, harassment and unwarranted arrests and said the judiciary has looked the other way.

Referring to the crackdown and Khan’s imprisonment, Shaheen called for a “proactive judiciary” that intervened when human rights and the law were being violated. In the past the PTI itself invited courts to review the judgment on the no-confidence vote, proceed on corruption charges against rival politicians, challenge the electoral commission, facilitate new elections, investigate Khan’s allegations of a foreign conspiracy to oust him, and ensure Khan’s paty could hold protests and sit-ins in the capital city unencumbered.

“The wrongful imprisonment of Imran Khan underscores concerns about compromised judges and discriminatory decisions, affecting the overall fairness of the judiciary,” the PTI spokesperson added.




Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan pauses as he speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan on March 17, 2023. (REUTERS/File)

Even the PTI’s main rival party, the PMLN, admitted to the judiciary’s “politically motivated” verdicts.

“At times, the judiciary has rewritten the constitution through its decisions, a power reserved for parliament,” Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, a member of the PML-N legal team, told Arab News.

“[Nawaz] Sharif’s -2017] disqualification [from office], conviction in politically motivated cases without following legally admissible evidence showed the judiciary was not acting as per law,” Ranjha added.

The judiciary’s role in the run up of the 2018 elections was also “questionable,” legal expert Khawar said.

“There were widespread allegations of the judiciary’s partisanship and witch-hunting of one political party [PML-N] before and after the 2018 election,” Khawar told Arab News, saying Sharif, a thrice-elected premier, was ousted on “flimsy charges” while an implementation bench of the apex court was formed to ensure he was convicted.

“Now in 2024, the PTI and Khan are also leveling serious allegations against the [military] establishment and accusing the judiciary of facilitating the PTI’s persecution,” Khawar added.




Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R) stands beside his daughter Maryam Nawaz (L) as he waves to their supporters along with his brother and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (back) gathered at a park during an event held to welcome him in Lahore on October 21, 2023. (AFP/File)

“PRIMARY HOPE”

But there are many who commend the senior judiciary for its role in ensuring the latest general election, delayed since November, would be held in February.

After months of uncertainty over the election date, the Election Commission said in November it would hold general polls on Feb. 8 after a consultation with President Arif Alvi that was ordered by the Supreme Court in fulfillment of a constitutional requirement. On Dec. 15, the ECP issued the full schedule for general elections, again after the top court ordered the regulator to issue the plan the same day.

“Recently, the Supreme Court has taken proactive steps by ordering timely elections, ensuring adherence to constitutional timelines,” legal expert Barrister Shabbir Shah, who is affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), one of the country’s main political parties, told Arab News.

“Currently, our judiciary remains the primary hope for ensuring elections take place.”

But legal experts like Khawar warn that the top court’s interference in political matters threatens the credibility of the higher judiciary and leads to in-fighting.

“Political disputes are routinely brought to courts, either proactively by superior courts or compelled by competing political parties and this heightened involvement has led to the polarization of the judiciary, as political disputes inherently foster division,” he said. “In the long run, this jeopardizes the judiciary’s credibility and erodes public confidence in it as a neutral and impartial institution.”

The effectiveness of the judiciary’s decisions hinged on its credibility and moral authority while accusations of collaboration between senior judges and non-elected power entities ultimately undermined the judiciary’s credibility and independence, Khawar added:

“A widespread perception among the people that the judiciary is partisan harms its credibility, independence, and public trust in the system. Therefore, the judiciary should strive to act impartially, avoiding the appearance of supporting one party over another, especially in political disputes.”


Heavy rains, lightning strikes kill at least six people in Pakistan’s northwest

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Heavy rains, lightning strikes kill at least six people in Pakistan’s northwest

  • A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
  • The Pakistan Meteorological Department this week forecast pre-monsoon rains across various parts on June 20-23

ISLAMABAD: Heavy rains and lightning strikes killed at least six people and injured five others in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province this week, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday.

A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods that have lashed the province since June 20, according to a PDMA report. The accidents occurred in Mansehra, Buner, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Malakand and Kohistan districts of the province.

“The deceased include three men, one woman and two children, while the injured include three men and two women,” it said.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) this week forecast pre-monsoon rains in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab and KP from June 20 till June 23.

“The PDMA has already issued a letter to the district administrations to remain alert and take preventive measures,” it added.

Last month, rains and thunderstorms killed at least 26 people in KP and Punjab provinces, authorities said.

Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.

In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.


Pakistan says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites violate international law, IAEA statute

Updated 12 min 12 sec ago
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Pakistan says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites violate international law, IAEA statute

  • Experts warn the latest strikes could have ‘catastrophic’ economic and security implications for Pakistan
  • In phone call with Iran president, Pakistan premier offers Islamabad’s support to de-escalate the crisis

ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities violate international law and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) statute, the Pakistan prime minister’s office said on Sunday, as experts warned of their economic and security implications for Islamabad.

The strikes, which targeted three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz early Sunday, came amid Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, which Israeli officials claim is nearing weaponization, an allegation Iran denies, insisting its activities remain peaceful and under international safeguards.

While the amount of damage remained unclear, the strikes have fueled fears of a wider conflict, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying the US had “crossed a very big red line,” the time for diplomacy was over and Iran had the right to defend itself. US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliation.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday afternoon and conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA, according to Sharif’s office.

“These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” Sharif’s office said. “While noting Iran’s right to self-defense, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the prime minister stressed upon the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward.”

Sharif called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in this context, according to his office. President Pezeshkian conveyed his appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran.

Pakistan’s foreign office earlier said Islamabad condemned the strikes and was “gravely concerned” at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.

“Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,” it said, adding that Iran had the right to defend itself under the United Nations (UN) Charter and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives and “immediately bring the conflict to an end.”

“Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.”

Tensions flared on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against what it described as Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. Iran, a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has since retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli targets. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has now directly joined the campaign.

Experts have warned that the latest US strikes could have “catastrophic” economic and security implications for Pakistan.

“The economic implications of a wider war would be catastrophic for Pakistan. First and foremost, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, our major concern will be the import of oil, as most of our oil supplies come from the Middle East,” Shakeel Ramay, a Pakistani economist, told Arab News.

“This would severely impact our economy since a significant portion of our power grid is powered by imported oil and gas from the region. The disruption would affect electricity production and have far-reaching consequences for our transportation network as well. The government will need to manage rising prices in the short term.”

Lt. Gen. (retired) Naeem Lodhi, a former Pakistani defense secretary, said Pakistan had so far acted “wisely” by condemning the attacks on Iran and offering to mediate the crisis.

“At this point, Pakistan needs to remain alert and ensure that it does not get directly involved. It must not allow any country — on either side — to use its soil, airspace, or any other assets,” he told Arab News.

“Although staying completely uninvolved is difficult due to our geographic proximity, it is still the most desirable course of action.”

If the war expanded, Lodhi said, Pakistan would face “serious challenges.”

“Many Pakistanis believe that if Iran is defeated in this war, it could create long-term problems for Pakistan,” he said.

“A new regime in Iran might not be friendly toward Pakistan and could even become hostile, bringing yet another threat to our borders. That is a key concern Pakistan must keep in mind.”

The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the United States, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.

“Certain demands may be made that Pakistan will find hard to ignore. For instance, if Arab countries become involved — which is likely — there could be strong pressure on Pakistan to support them in some capacity, whether through logistics, access to airspace, or even bases,” Lodhi said.

“While it may be relatively easier to say no to the United States despite its influence, refusing multiple allied Arab countries will be much more difficult. Still, Pakistan’s current leadership, especially the military leadership, is well aware of these dangers and will likely try to keep the country out of the conflict.”


Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China

Updated 22 June 2025
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Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China

  • Gilgit-Baltistan, which produces 9,000 tons of cherries, exported over a quarter of the crop to China last year
  • Agricultural experts say the region’s cold climate is ideal for growing cherries, apricots and apples

SKARDU, Gilgit-Baltistan: As Pakistan begins to export cherries to neighboring China, a colorful one-day festival in Skardu this week drew hundreds of visitors, highlighting the potential of agri-tourism and cherry farming in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials and growers said.

Home to the Khunjerab Pass — the highest paved international border crossing in the world — GB is often described as Pakistan’s gateway to China.

The region’s cold climate is ideal for growing high-quality fruits such as cherries, apricots and apples.

“This is the 5th National Cherry Festival, and we are organizing Agri-Mela as part of the festival,” Zakir Hussain, deputy director at the GB agriculture department, told Arab News on Friday.

Visitors sample different verities of cherries displayed at a stall at the 5th National Cherry Festival in Skardu. Pakistan on June 20, 2025. (AN Photo)

 “The aim of this festival is to introduce cherry as a cash crop.”

He said the event, organized in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, aimed to raise awareness about harvesting, marketing and the economic importance of cherries.

According to the GB agriculture department, the region produces 8,000 to 9,000 tons of cherries annually, with dried cherry marketing now also underway.

“Almost 3,000 tons of cherries had been exported to China in 2024,” Hussain said, adding that GB was the leading cherry-producing region in Pakistan.

Local farmers say the festival boosts their income and visibility.

A cherry farmer displays his produce at the 5th National Cherry Festival in Skardu. Pakistan on June 20, 2025. (AN Photo)

“We have been growing cherries for the last 12 to 13 years and we have 200 to 300 cherry trees in our orchard,” said Skinder Ali, a 40-year-old farmer. “Whenever the festival is held in Gilgit-Baltistan, we participate. And due to this event, we get access to the market at the national level.”

The festival also attracted tourists from other parts of the country.

“We especially came to Skardu to see the cherries, and we are from Islamabad,” Zohra Begum, a 52-year-old visitor, said. “We have been visiting [the stalls] for the last hour... The taste of cherries is very good ... So far we have purchased 10 kilograms. Let’s see how much we purchase later.”

“I am a traveler and biker from Lahore,” said Mohsin Abbas, another tourist. “We were in Shigar last night when we came to know about the festival. So we came here... We have tasted the cherries and they are very delicious.”

Ghulamullah Saqib, an agriculture expert and trainer, said the region’s climate is well suited for cherries, which require 800 to 1,000 chilling hours to bear fruit.

“There are 14 varieties of cherry that are found in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he added.


Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings

Updated 22 June 2025
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Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings

  • Thousands of Pakistanis take part in religious gatherings, processions every year in Muharram 
  • Energy ministry instructs DISCOs to inspect distribution networks, place teams on high alert

iSLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Energy Ministry on Sunday directed senior officials of distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate religious gatherings next month during Muharram.

Thousands of Pakistanis every year during the Islamic month of Muharram take part in religious gatherings and processions to pay tribute to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. 

In its letter, the ministry said Muharram is falling in July when heat waves are expected in many parts of the country. 

“It is very much imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to facilitate these religious gatherings and avoid any inconvenience to the public,” the letter said. 

 The ministry urged DISCOs to conduct thorough inspections of all transmission and distribution networks, particularly in areas where religious gatherings and processions are expected to take place.

It also directed the companies to deploy dedicated emergency response teams on high alert throughout Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram when the main processions take place, to address any power disruptions immediately. 

The ministry instructed DISCOs to communicate with consumers, especially mosques and imambargahs, regarding any scheduled maintenance or potential load management measures to minimize inconvenience. 

“Assign duty rosters to ensure 24/7 availability of technical and operational staff during Muharram to respond swiftly to any power-related issues,” the letter read. 

“The sanctity of Muharram demands our utmost commitment to serving the public with diligence and respect,” it said. “Any negligence in this regard will be viewed seriously.”

The Energy Ministry directed DISCOs to submit a compliance report to the Power Division regarding the measures taken in this regard. 

Thousands of people suffer from power outages, lasting several hours each day, during the summers every year in Pakistan. 

Pakistan suffers from an energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in its energy supplies and electricity demand. The cash-strapped country lacks adequate resources to run its oil-and-gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs. 


India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers

Updated 22 June 2025
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India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers

  • Suspects provided food, shelter, logistical support to “terrorists” who killed tourists in Pahalgam, says Indian agency 
  • Pahalgam attack led to armed military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May in which over 70 were killed

SRINAGAR, India: New Delhi’s counter-terrorism agency said Sunday it has arrested two men in India-administered Kashmir for allegedly harboring Pakistani gunmen behind a deadly attack on civilians that sparked a days-long conflict between the two countries.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the two suspects were from the Pahalgam area, where gunmen killed 26 people two months ago.

“The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had... selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity,” a statement by NIA said. The majority of those killed were Hindu men.

The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo “have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack,” and have confirmed they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group.

New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without making public any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge.

The April 22 killings triggered a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures by the nuclear-armed countries and led to intense exchanges of missile, drone and artillery fire.

The four-day conflict left more than 70 people dead on both sides.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between the South Asian rivals — claimed by both in full — since their independence from British rule in 1947, and the neighbors have fought two wars over its control.

Rebel groups, demanding the divided region’s independence or merger with Pakistan, have waged an insurgency since 1989.